The blog of the 'There is a Better Way' campaign by STUC staff about policy issues that are, or should be, in the news and guest contributors on issues of social justice. Written from a STUC perspective, contributions will often cover areas where there is yet no settled STUC policy and go into areas in more detail than our formal decisions. We welcome debate and we don’t expect everyone to agree with us, but we will remove any comments that are offensive, irrelevant or otherwise annoy.

Friday, 28 November 2014

It’s a pleasure and a
privilege to be able to share some of my thoughts with you so early in my
tenure as First Minister.

Scotland has just lived
through the most extraordinary flowering of democracy and political engagement
any of us have seen in our lifetime.

The referendum campaign was
an empowering, energising phenomenon which saw the revival of the town hall
meeting and which took political debate into every home, workplace and
community across Scotland.

And it proved that – despite
the cynicism about politics which so often prevails nowadays – people can, and
do, become politically engaged when faced with issues which really matter to
them.

The Yes campaign which I was
proud to play my part in may not have prevailed – but that huge political
engagement has continued, not least with the massive surge in SNP membership
which now makes ours the third largest party in the whole of the UK.

That is the spirit of
democratic engagement which I will be looking to build on, as SNP leader and
First Minister, in the days to come.

And I very much look forward
to working with the STUC in those days ahead.

Our country remains on a
constitutional journey, but I am determined that the Scottish Government
pursues an agenda of social and economic progress in tandem with that focus on
the constitution.

And, as the STUC marks our
national day with this year’s theme of a Scotland free from racism, I want to
reiterate just how important it is that we make Scotland a welcoming country
for everyone who has chosen to make this nation their home.

Scotland’s civic ethos is an
inclusive and progressive one, which helps ensure that welcome is extended to
all who come here. But we must always be on our guard against racism and
prejudice when it does rear its head, and the STUC is to be commended on
sending out that unequivocal message.

The STUC’s St Andrew’s Day March is an opportunity for the labour movement to look back at what we have achieved in the fight for racial equality here in Scotland.

Through big struggles we’ve come together and recast our society. Working together with BME communities throughout the UK and in solidarity with our brothers and sisters across the movement, we have made considerable advancements:

The Race Relations Act

Equal Pay Legislation

The Equality Act

Better representation of BME communities in Parliament – both at Westminster and Holyrood.

We should all be proud of these achievements.

But as we remember the significance of battles won, we need to be united together in the fights we still face:

The rapid growth of UKIP and the politics of intolerance and bigotry.

Rising Islamophobia spreading fear and hatred in the hearts of our communities.

The persistence of racially aggravated violence on our streets.

Almost half of BME young people are out of work, more than double the level of white youth unemployment.

These are massive challenges, but we know that when we come together we are capable of incredible things. So as Scotland moves past two years of constitutional debate it’s time for the labour family to reimagine Scotland.

The referendum changed Scottish politics forever, but it doesn’t matter how you voted on September 18th. What matters is what we do now.

If you believe in combatting racism, creating sustainable and inclusive growth, a living wage and putting an end to the politics of fear – then we are in this fight together.

Next May the people of Scotland will go to the polls again where the choice will be between a Labour Party committed to creating jobs for young people through our Compulsory Jobs Guarantee, paid for by a tax on bankers’ bonuses, raising tax on the richest in society, increasing the Living Wage and delivering more powers to the Scottish Parliament or a Tory Party who will give more tax cuts to millionaires while delivering a cost of living crisis for everyday families.

When we meet again next year I want all of us to have worked together to consign the coalition government to the dustbin of history, and begin a new chapter in the struggle for equality.

The scourge
of racism cannot be looked at or dealt with without challenging every
assumption that any individual or group wants less, needs less or deserves less
than any other. Thus we tackle racism as
part of a hierarchy in society which values some human beings over others in
varying degrees, and we learn from examining our own struggle, whoever we are,
as we have lived it, and the struggles of billions against apartheid, caste divisions,
wage discrimination, state violence, and other discriminations, from Ferguson
to Fallujah, and from Gaza to the Congo.

We have to
examine the NGOs as well as Parliament, and the ambition of those who come from
movements for justice but end up at high salaries in high places imposing and
hiding injustice. We must overcome
divisions at the grassroots to blow the whistle on every establishment that is
based on maintaining the hierarchy of gender, race, religion, nationality, age,
disability, etc.

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

2014 has been a great year for
Scotland, and one where we have celebrated and embraced diversity. Over the
summer 71 teams from 53 members of the Commonwealth came together in Glasgow
for the best ever Commonwealth Games, which saw sports successes alongside
cultural celebrations.

It is quite right that Glasgow,
where we made the pioneering decision to grant Nelson Mandela the Freedom of
the City and James McCune Smith studied at the University of Glasgow, who was
the first African American to receive a university medical degree, celebrated
diversity at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. We all came
together for that anthem of universal brotherhood – Freedom Come All Ye, as
sung by the South African singer Pumeza.

As people embrace diversity, it
is disappointing to hear the hostile political rhetoric coming from certain
political parties. There has been the terrible spectre of the ‘Go Home’ vans
and the use of dangerous and inflamatory language from senior politicians such
as ‘swamped’ and ‘inundated’ to describe immigration.

The two Westminster parties are
fighting each other to out-UKIP UKIP. Politicians of all political persuasion
have a responsibility to ensure that they don’t succumb to the temptation of
populism for cheap political gain.

I am the proud son of immigrants,
and am pleased that the Government I am part of and the party I represent
believes that migrants from across the world have made outstanding
contributions to Scotland and will always be welcome to our country.

It is vital that we all stand
united in defiance of racism, and the St. Andrew’s Day rally is an integral
part of this country’s anti-racism effort. I would like to say to all the
elements who wish to divide us and cause hatred – you will never be welcome to
Scotland, not now, not ever. No Pasaran.

Humza YousafMinster for External Affairs and International Development

Monday, 24 November 2014

International students
bring in tens of billions annually to the UK economy. They generate over
130,000 jobs. They are quite literally a lifeline to the further and higher
education sector in Scotland the UK. If every international student were to
pack up and leave, not only would colleges and universities be facing an
unprecedented crisis, but the economy more generally would take an enormous
blow.

You’d think,
given how much the Tories tell us about balancing the books, that they’d be
bending over backwards to make this country attractive and welcoming to
international students. But something else is at play.

Once here, paying
tens of thousands in fees, international students are treated like criminals.
They’re prevented from working, they’re forced to register with the police,
they’re subjected to racism and abuse, and – unless they’re rich enough –
they’re kicked out once they finish studying.

To make matters
worse, this Government’s reckless obsession with the private sector has put
thousands of international students in jeapardy. Letting private colleges run
rampant – at public expense – has brought a spotlight onto what’s called Highly
Trusted Status – an institution’s ability to recruit students from outside the
EU. When colleges and universities have this removed, as London Met famously
did a few short years ago and dozens more did earlier this year, the students
are told to get out. They pay the price for this Government’s ideology and
their institutions failing.

But this makes no
sense, does it? This Government’s back-of-a-fag-packet immigration policy is
built, at best, on mistrust, at worst on outright xenophobia and racism. UK
ministers focus more on pandering to UKIP than any objective
approach to society’s needs. They’ve promised, indefensibly, to cut immigration
to below 100,000, and international students are baring a huge portion of the
brunt for that.

But immigrants,
and international students, bring enormous value to our society – not just
financially, but culturally and socially. It is in our interests – but even if
it wasn’t, a country that’s colonised half the world hardly has the right to
now tell people they’re not welcome here.

Our colleges and
universities have a massive role to play in lobbying and arguing for an
approach to international students based on fairness and tolerance, and it’s
the student and labour movement that will make them do that.

Sunday, 23 November 2014

“Our Future Free from Racism” -
I’m only slightly embarrassed to confess that in recent months I seem to have
adopted Twitter as my new home from home. When I recently posted - I mean 'tweeted'- about the St Andrew's Day March and Rally on November 29th one of my followers, based in the USA, replied with the following (what seemed
to me at least) rather flippant statement: “The day racism ends is the day
the right-handers start killing the left-handers. Or vice versa.” I admit I
am still not entirely sure what he meant by this less than 140 character riddle
but I refuse to believe that our future cannot be free of racism. To believe
otherwise would be fatalism and cynicism personified, as well as a crime
against humanity. But, to make this future a reality we do need to be vigilant
and challenge racism wherever and whenever we see it – whether in the street,
at our workplaces, in football grounds, on the pages of newspapers or in
Parliament. The author Brian Niro (2003:1), in his book Race, argued
that this concept and idea was a monster. He went on to say that “Race… is a
monster because of the manner in which it has been employed for the
justification of a systematic oppression and for the wholesale murder of huge
populations.” And indeed, from the slave trade to the Nazi death camps, this
notion of ‘race’ has been employed in the most murderous of ways. And yet it is
still not consigned to the vaults of a shameful history. From the deportation
of Roma in France and Italy, to the ‘everyday’ racism captured on mobile phones
on public transport, we have a duty to stand-up and make ourselves heard, as
citizens of a world that can be free of racism. We need to say loudly, and with
purpose and intent, "not in my name".

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Last year I wrote in support of the St Andrew's day March and Rally, looking ahead to a
landmark year for Scotland and for Glasgow in particular.

Both the independence referendum and the Commonwealth
Games were rare opportunities for Scotland to present its values and its hopes
for the future to the wider world.

Now, as Scotland’s year in the international spotlight
draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on what lessons we can take from these
events, and how we work towards a Scotland free from racism.

The Games were first and foremost a spectacle of sport,
with the efforts and talent of the athletes front and centre. But it also
offered us the chance to show ourselves as a welcoming and inclusive nation
that we are and I was particularly proud of the Pride House initiative,
building links with human rights activists across the Commonwealth.

The referendum campaign opened up public debate in
Scotland like nothing seen before, and people really have been exploring what
kind of country they want to live in. Underpinning this were questions about
what it meant to be Scottish, and I think it is a testament to everyone
involved that this was overwhelmingly framed in a positive and inclusive way,
not along narrow lines of ethnicity or place of birth.

Though it has been such an extraordinary year, we should
not be complacent about the direction of politics. Scotland is far from free of
racism, and we must address the big challenges we face. The xenophobic UKIP
have just elected their first MP, following their win in this year’s European
elections. The rise of right wing and extremist parties across Europe and
closer to home is something that we have a responsibility to take on, and
Greens will never let UKIP’s ugly brand of politics go un-challenged.

Monday, 17 November 2014

Launching the findings of our Scottish Government funded inquiry into Being Jewish in Scotland, we said, “If, twenty years from now, a future Scottish Government were to commission a future SCoJeC to conduct a similar study, we would hope to be able to report a drop in levels of intolerance, a greater sense of mutual understanding between Jewish and non-Jewish people.” Fourteen months on, sadly, the signs are not encouraging.

Then, despite some reports of ignorance, ill-will, and blatant antisemitism, most people’s experience was largely positive. But the recent dramatic upsurge in antisemitism has had an effect – more than 50 incidents were reported between July and September 2014 in comparison to 14 in the whole of 2013. Increasingly, people tell us that the extent to which they, as Jews, are held responsible, targeted, and even demonised for the actions of the State of Israel – whatever their personal views on the Middle East – has left them worried, depressed, and unsafe. Several have said they would no longer wear a kippah or Star of David in the street, feel forced to hide their Jewish identity in the face of hostility, and no longer feel welcome in Scotland. Most tellingly, the person who had previously told us that “Scotland is a darn good place to be a Jew”, now writes, "Feel alienated and no longer Scottish first, then Jewish. Feel Jewish only. Have to be very guarded when speaking to people..… My son asked on Friday evening if we could leave Scotland.”

A Scotland that is free from racism because it has made minorities unwelcome would not be worthy of celebration. The First Minister reassures us that “we will not tolerate any form of racial or religious prejudice”, and One Scotland envisages a country in which “individuals and minority groups feel valued”, but sadly that’s not our experience – it remains an aspiration, not a fact.Leah GranatResearch and Publications Officer, Scottish Council of Jewish Communities

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

We have
learnt a lot over the past year about Scotland and the people who make this
country great. In looking to our future, we have explored our shared past,
discussed our common values, and celebrated our differences. For the
overwhelming majority the debate was respectful and mature.

But on
occasion there was prejudice and intolerance. That is damaging to us all and there is no place for it in modern Scotland.

Since last year’s rally, we have lost a giant in the global fight
against racism with the passing of Nelson Mandela. The circumstances in which
he was fighting prejudice and intolerance may have been hugely different, but a
belief in the power of education to change the future transcends all.

The anti-apartheid icon said “Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to change the world.” I could not agree more; because from the poorest of countries to the richest of nations, education is the key to moving forward in any society.

I said that
the debate on our constitutional future was respectful and mature. I was proud
that nowhere was this better demonstrated than when I spoke to young people.
Extending the voting franchise to 16 and 17 year olds was seen as a risk by
some but Scotland’s young people proved their critics wrong.

That is why
I have no doubt that we will build a truly liberal, open, welcoming Scotland. A
Scotland where individuals are judged on their character, not their colour; on
their person, not our prejudice. A country which shows no tolerance to
narrow-mindedness and where equality stands front and centre.

With the eyes
of the world on us, people across Scotland have shown that they want
substantial and meaningful change which is bold and ambitious. I say to those
joining the rally today that we need to be as bold and as ambitious in our
vision for a future free from racism. From the young people I met during
the referendum campaign, that future is in good hands.

Monday, 10 November 2014

2014 has been an amazing year for everyone
living in Scotland – the passion and excitement of the Commonwealth Games
gripped everyone and resulted in a record tally of medals for Scots. Glasgow,
as the Games hosts excelled itself providing a safe, welcoming and friendly
venue, and the international stance taken on equality –
most notably on LGBT rights – set the tone for all future Games. A Game changer
indeed!

And the mass participation in the referendum
did Scotland proud -even if you didn’t agree with the result no-one could say
that Scots approached their future half-heartedly.

Unfortunately not everyone in Scotland seems
to share the vision of an open, equal, and fair Scotland. Last year nearly 5,000 racial incidents were reported to Police in Scotland. That’s 5,000 people,
who for one reason or another took it upon themselves to abuse, frighten or
harm their fellow countrymen and women, simply because they come from a
different heritage. Sadly, most people recognise that the 5,000 reported incidents
are only a fraction of the true extent of racism in Scotland – many more
incidents are likely to have gone unreported.

Scotland has much to be proud of, but the
continued presence of racism on our streets, is also a source of national
shame. The true legacy of the Games should be a country that’s free from
discrimination and bigotry. And just like we all stood up to support Scotland
at the Games we should all stand together to defeat racism in all its forms.

Friday, 7 November 2014

This has been a momentous year for Scotland. The referendum,
the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup – the eyes of the world have been on us
like never before.

I never doubted that as a people we would rise to this
challenge; that we would do Scotland proud.

And so it has proved. Last year I wrote that the
Commonwealth Games would be a key demonstration of the value of progress and I
think it’s fair to say that they were the most stirring success and a potent
reminder of sport’s power to unite.

These truly were the friendly games – perhaps the
friendliest – and Glasgow was abuzz for the duration

.

Every country was warmly welcomed, every competitor
respected. Around the world, people were treated to a fun, inclusive and
tolerant Games.

This image will have been viewed around the globe and its
power should not be under-estimated.

The challenge is now to build on this; to promote our shared
vision of a future free from racism.

This won’t be easy, but I am up for the fight and it’s clear
the STUC is too.

And quite frankly, the message is clear - whether prompted
by skin colour, religion or nationality, discrimination is completely
unacceptable in modern Scotland.

Yet, while we’ve come far, Scotland’s not there yet. Simply
put, we cannot be complacent and we mustn’t ease up.

We still, to our collective shame, have pockets of
intolerance here in Scotland and we can’t shy away from this or try to sweep it
under the carpet.

That’s why it is so important that rallies like this continue
to take place and I am extremely proud to offer this longstanding event my
wholehearted support.

About Me

The STUC is Scotland's Trade Union centre.
Our purpose is to co-ordinate, develop and articulate the views and policies of the trade union movement in Scotland and, through the creation of real social partnership, to promote: trade unionism; equality and social justice; the creation and maintenance of high quality jobs; and the public sector delivery of services.
The STUC represents over 596,000 trade unionists, the members of 37 affiliated trade unions and 22 Trades Union Councils. We speak for trade union members in and out of work, in the community and in the workplace, in all occupational sectors and across Scotland. Our representative structures ensure that we can speak with authority for the interests of women workers, black workers, young workers and other groups of trade unionists that otherwise suffer discrimination in the workplace and in society.